2014 volkswagen passat Reviews and News

Few words are applied to cars with such reckless abandon as "Sport." The 2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport is yet another example where the badge misleads. The important nomenclature for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat—which you’ll be hard pressed to find on the car—is “1.8T,” referring to an efficient new turbocharged four-cylinder.

The 1.8T badge has actually adorned the Volkswagen Passat before. An older 1.8-liter turbo-four was employed in the 1998 to 2005 Passat, as well as the 1999 to 2005 Jetta and GTI. But it vanished for several years when Volkswagen switched in the uninspiring 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. Now a new, direct-injected 1.8T debuts as the base engine for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, boosting the car's performance and fuel economy.

With the same 170 horsepower as the old 2.5-liter engine but seven extra pound-feet of torque delivered at lower engine speeds, the 1.8T helps the Passat Sport leap away from a stop with more athleticism than before. The engine's focus on low-end delivery is ideal for urban use, so it's of little consequence that it runs out of breath as the revs rise. Most drivers will be more interested in the fact that fuel economy rises 2 mpg in the city and 3 mpg on the highway, compared to the 2.5-liter Passat.

"This feels like the right amount of power for this car," says associate web editor Joey Capparella. "The turbo's fat torque band makes the Passat feel livelier than some rival four-cylinder sedans."

The new engine does, however, give up some character compared to the five-cylinder. "It's not as quiet or as refined as the old engine," says associate web editor Evan McCausland.

The 1.8-liter engine is paired with a torque-converter six-speed automatic, as opposed to the dual-clutch automatic offered with the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel and 3.6-liter VR6. (VW is also offering a five-speed manual with the new four-cylinder). Using the tiny plastic paddle shifters reminds us that this transmission, while good, isn't nearly as snappy as the dual-clutch transmission. And yet the torque-converter automatic’s performance is ideal for a midsize sedan, which is to say it does its job so smoothly and effectively that the majority of owners will never think about it.

The 1.8-liter engine is available across several other trim levels of 2014 Volkswagen Passat—S, SE, Wolfsburg, and SEL—but only the Sport model features 19-inch wheels shod in 235/40/19 Continental ContiProContact tires, a trunk spoiler, aluminum pedals, carbon fiber-look interior trim, and a black-painted roof. It was inspired by the Passat Performance concept shown at the 2013 Detroit auto show, and the production version looks smart out in the real world.

As there are no mechanical updates, though, it's hard to justify calling this a Sport trim. The solid ride and measured handling that we loved in our Four Seasons Passat TDI are present in this car, but the Sport simply doesn't peg the excitement meter. "It's not really sporty at all," says Capparella. If anything, our tester's 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires add some harshness and jostle passengers more than on a standard Passat, although Capparella still found the ride “pillowy.”

Though it's hard to justify paying extra for the Sport trim, the new 1.8-liter engine is a welcome improvement over the old five-cylinder. The Passat— already handsome, spacious, refined, and good to drive—is now slightly peppier and promises fuel-economy comparable to its big-name competitors. It's a much-appreciated improvement without any obvious downsides.

New For 2014

The biggest news for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is the demise of the 2.5-liter I-5 and a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder in its place. There is almost no change in power (it makes the same 170 hp and ekes out 7 more lb-ft of torque, to 184 lb-ft), and there is also now electrically assisted power steering. VW's OnStar-like Car-Net connectivity system is now available from the Wolfsburg Edition (which continues on from 2013 with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake, and shift knob) and up, as is the interface for iPods and the like. Certain Passat SE models get keyless access with push-button starting, new "Bristol" eighteen-inch wheels, and two-tone seats. All models except the S trims also receive a backup camera.

Vehicle Summary

If you think the Beetle is the only long-running nameplate in Volkswagen's stable, think again. Volkswagen has been building the Passat since 1973, although it was originally named the Dasher and then the Quantum here in the United States. It wasn't until the third-generation car of the late 1980s that Americans finally received the Passat name on their mid-size Volkswagens. However, it was the fifth-generation Passat that really stood out. Volkswagen's mid-sizer shared its platform and powertrains with the also-then-new Audi A4, and we lauded the Passat in naming it a 1999 All-Star. "In its driving pleasure, its styling, and its quality, the Passat exceeds our expectations and more effectively combines practicality, luxury, and desirability than any other car in its crowded class." The Passat went on to be named an Automobile Magazine All-Star again in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

The sixth-generation follow-up to the much-loved 1996-2005 Passat grew in size and bloat, and despite being a competent driver and having a luxurious cabin, it didn't really keep the flames burning for Passat enthusiasm. After plummeting sales, Volkswagen pulled the plug on the Passat in the U.S. after 2010. Following a one-year hiatus, an all-new Passat emerged for the 2012 model year. The 2012 Passat had been developed under the code name "New Midsize Sedan" (NMS) -- a larger, more spacious, less expensive model that would appeal better to American tastes. The Passat, after all, plays in the same segment as the country's best-selling car, the Toyota Camry, and never even came close to those kinds of volumes. The NMS/seventh-generation Passat has been off to a good start for Volkswagen, moving 117,023 copies in 2012; Volkswagen showed no sign of slowing down in the first half of 2013, selling 55,119 Passats.

Overview

We were not predisposed to like the current-generation Passat when it came out for the 2012 model year. In the wake of a newly overhauled and more "Americanized" (read: de-contented) Jetta, the tea leaves for the Passat weren't looking good. Although the Passat's design hovers between handsome and bland, depending on the eye of the beholder, Volkswagen has managed to blend much of the desires of American consumers with the well-sorted dynamics and sturdy feel that buyers have come to expect from the German automaker.

In our 2013 comparison of eight mid-size sedans, we praised the Passat: "When it comes to chassis dynamics, there is no dispute, because the 2013 Passat SE shines where some of the other cars here stumble. West Coast editor Michael Jordan said, 'The Passat might look American but it is utterly like a European car in the way it goes down the road. The long-travel suspension is compliant, and you can feel the wheels stroking up and down as the car rides the bumps.' In addition, the steering is accurate and communicative even if the effort level is very light, and you have a good idea of what's going on at the road surface, which is a core tenet of German chassis tuning."

However, the Passat that participated in our comparison test was equipped with Volkswagen's old 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, which has been replaced with an all-new 1.8-liter turbocharged I-4 for 2014. The turbo four-cylinder makes the same power as the old five-cylinder (170 hp), which is fine by us. Fuel economy increases substantially in both the city and highway cycles: five-speed-manual-equipped models are rated at 24/35 mpg city/highway, and six-speed-automatic Passats are good for 24/34 mpg; those are increases of 2 mpg city and 3 mpg highway no matter the transmission. Along with the new engine, the Passat also switches from hydraulic to electric power steering -- we hope that won't decrease the amount of communication relayed through the steering wheel.

Buyers looking for more performance from their Passats have two options: power or frugality. Those looking for the former can still opt for the 280-hp, 3.6-liter narrow-angle V-6, which is smooth and vigorous but not as efficient as, say, the V-6 offered in the Honda Accord. Buyers looking to help save the planet (and their wallets) should select the Passat TDI with its 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder. We found throughout a recent Four Seasons test that the turbo-diesel engine, rated at just 140 hp, pulled so strongly (thanks to a healthy 236 lb-ft of torque) that we rarely wanted for more power. Better yet, the Passat TDI is rated at 31/41 mpg with the manual and 30/40 mpg with the automatic.

No matter the Passat variant selected, all drivers and passengers can be reassured about their safety. The Passat has earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The mid-size Volkswagen also passed the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's new "small overlap front crash test" with an Acceptable rating, earning it a place on the list of Top Safety Pick+ vehicles.

You'll like:

Clean, handsome exterior design

Acres of interior space

Efficient diesel engine

You won't like:

Bland interior design

Not as sporty as it used to be

Optional navigation system is poor at best

Key Competitors

While 2014-2015 might be Volkswagen’s Year of Golf, the German automaker is still hard at work updating the European version of the Volkswagen Passat for its next-generation redesign. The next Volkswagen Passat looks to revised exterior styling, increased interior capacity, and upgraded technology to continue luring buyers.

This new concept version of the Volkswagen Passat gets up to 42 mpg, and it’s not even a diesel or a hybrid. At the 2014 Detroit auto show, Volkswagen is hoping to show the reaches of its gasoline-engine technology with this Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion and its 1.4-liter gasoline engine with multiple advanced fuel-saving features.

Volkswagen has brought the Passat Performance concept shown at last year's Detroit auto show to production. Called the 2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport, the new trim level costs $27,295 (including destination) with a five-speed manual transmission or $28,495 with a six-speed automatic.

Volkswagen announced pricing today for 2014 Passat models equipped with the new 1.8T engine, which was previously offered only the 2014 Volkswagen Passat SEL but now spreads to all models that used to have a 2.5-liter inline-five. Compared to the outgoing inline-five, the 1.8-liter direct-injection turbo engine provides seven lb-ft more torque and higher EPA fuel-economy ratings. The 2.5-liter engine is no longer available in any new Passat.

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Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Summary

Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.

Consequences

The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

Potential Units Affected

26,452

Notes

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Summary

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.

Consequences

A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that campaign.